nih_stroke_scale: NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Description

Calculates the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a systematic assessment tool that provides a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit. The scale is widely used to evaluate stroke severity, determine appropriate treatment, and predict patient outcomes.

Usage

nih_stroke_scale(loc_response, loc_questions, loc_commands, gaze, visual_fields,
                 facial_palsy, motor_arm_left, motor_arm_right, motor_leg_left,
                 motor_leg_right, limb_ataxia, sensory, best_language, dysarthria,
                 extinction_inattention)

Arguments

loc_response	Numeric (0-3). 1a: Level of Consciousness.
loc_questions	Numeric (0-2). 1b: LOC Questions (Month and Age).
loc_commands	Numeric (0-2). 1c: LOC Commands (Open/close eyes, grip/release hand).
gaze	Numeric (0-2). 2: Best Gaze.
visual_fields	Numeric (0-3). 3: Visual Fields.
facial_palsy	Numeric (0-3). 4: Facial Palsy.
motor_arm_left	Numeric (0-4). 5a: Motor Arm (Left).
motor_arm_right	Numeric (0-4). 5b: Motor Arm (Right).
motor_leg_left	Numeric (0-4). 6a: Motor Leg (Left).
motor_leg_right	Numeric (0-4). 6b: Motor Leg (Right).
limb_ataxia	Numeric (0-2). 7: Limb Ataxia.
sensory	Numeric (0-2). 8: Sensory.
best_language	Numeric (0-3). 9: Best Language.
dysarthria	Numeric (0-2). 10: Dysarthria.
extinction_inattention	Numeric (0-2). 11: Extinction and Inattention (Neglect).

Value

A list containing:

NIHSS_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-42).
Severity	Interpretation of stroke severity (Minor, Moderate, Severe).

References

Brott T, Adams HP Jr, Olinger CP, et al. Measurements of acute cerebral infarction: a clinical examination scale. Stroke. 1989;20(7):864-870. doi:10.1161/01.str.20.7.864

Examples

# Example 1: Moderate Stroke
# Alert(0), Questions(1), Gaze(1), Face(2), Arm Drift(1), Leg Drift(1), Sensory(1), Mild Aphasia(1)
nih_stroke_scale(0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0)

# Example 2: Severe Stroke
# Drowsy(1), Gaze(2), Hemianopia(2), Face(3), Arm/Leg Paralysis(4,4), Global Aphasia(3), Neglect(2)
nih_stroke_scale(1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 2, 3, 2, 2)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.